The BMW M3 is for the enthusiast who appreciates heritage and race-bred engineering. It has the most direct controls, the sharpest chassis, and the most high-strung engine. It's for the guy who's out to set lap records and has the time, money, and skill to do so. It's also for the track star who wants a complete escape from the intensity back on public streets, or simply gets enough track time that public roads aren't worth exploiting. But thanks to its split personality, it's also for the guy who wants to pretend to be that guy. And with stability control and its impressive drivability, the wannabe's lap times probably won't be terribly far behind.

The Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG is the entertainer of the group and, as such, it isn't for people who take life too seriously. The car's lap times will always fall a second or two behind the BMW's, but the extra time on the stopwatch will be worth it. For the other 340 days a year when you're not at a track, it's the most comfortable and the most fun to drive, not to mention it that it looks and sounds like it means business. And with one of the silkiest V-8s on the market, it truly does. The C63 is the car this writer would buy if he had the means.

That leaves the newcomer from Lexus, which, fittingly, is the best choice for track-day newcomers or casual enthusiasts. The car is an amazing first effort that needs better tires and better chassis control. It isn't as frenetic on-track as the M3 but it isn't as subdued on public roads. At the same time, it doesn't appeal to our inner child in either setting like the C63 does. It'll win most stoplight drag races and it'll turn respectable track times, but it's tuned for safety and won't bite. It sounds cool, looks flashy, and has a fantastic Mark Levinson sound system. Do those things top your requirements? The IS-F is for you. Andy's accepting orders now.

I was a little disappointed with the driving at low rpm, it did not seem to me any different from the 335.

Then its not he car for you. You need to know how to get the maxium out of a M powerplant to enjoy it. Your driving style seems more laid back, so the C63 would suit you better. There is no better feeling revving the hell out of a M powerplant, during spirited driving.

Then its not he car for you. You need to know how to get the maxium out of a M powerplant to enjoy it. Your driving style seems more laid back, so the C63 would suit you better. There is no better feeling revving the hell out of a M powerplant, during spirited driving.

M3: very bulky looking rear and ugly lights. the facelift should make it look a lot better in real-life

C63: very lazy rear lights, bumper and quads are cool though.

IS-F: nice lip spoiler, but needs more interesting bumper and needs to lose those ugly quads!

Overall, it terms of design it would be between the C63 and M3. C63 has the better interior but I'm not sure which looks best from the outside. I havent seen the C63 yet to make a comparison, that's why I'm leaning towards the M.

Overall, it terms of design it would be between the C63 and M3. C63 has the better interior but I'm not sure which looks best from the outside. I havent seen the C63 yet to make a comparison, that's why I'm leaning towards the M.

Disagree. Gimmicky & plasticky. Looks as if they were designed by Swatch. Same goes for the fake, aluminized carbon fiber trim. Digital clock is the same you'll find in a 1988 Corolla wagon. Not a fan of the IS-F's interior.